Ferrari request clarification over alleged illegal Vettel overtake

Ferrari have written to Formula 1’s governing body the FIA to request clarification over the alleged illegal overtake by Sebastian Vettel on Jean-Eric Vergne in the early stages of last weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, as controversy continues to surround the legality of this overtake.

However, the FIA have since assured the media that Sebastian Vettel’s overtake was in fact entirely legitimate, with the overtaking maneuver in question taking place after a green flag was flown, despite the dashboard on Vettel’s car still clearly showing yellow flag warning lights. The governing body continued to explain the legality of this overtake by stating that the yellow flag zone started at the light panel just prior to Turn 3, and that it ended roughly 150m before Turn 4.

Despite this in-depth explanation by the FIA, this would still mean that Sebastian Vettel’s overtake on the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne was illegal. However, the video footage that has been circulating the internet vaguely shows a marshal waving a green flag just before the end of the yellow flag sector. The FIA have therefore confirmed that the green flag has precedence over the green light, and that Vettel’s overtake was therefore legal.

Prior to this explanation of the alleged illegal Sebastian Vettel overtake, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali wrote to the FIA requesting clarification from the governing body. Despite rumors within the media that Ferrari could protest the race results, in which Sebastian Vettel clinched the Championship by three points over the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso, these allegations seem rather unlikely.

A Ferrari spokesperson confirmed that the Scuderia are seeking clarification surrounding the overtake, however it seems that the governing body are already of the belief that the overtake by Vettel was completely legitimate. The 2012 season has been one of pure entertainment and unpredictability, and it seems that that trend is set to continue well into the winter break.

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